Over a year ago, Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor joined an economic development project called "Rise" which is sponsored by RCAP Solutions of Worcester, Massachusetts. The nonprofit provides services, at no cost, to the New England region, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

In June, Elyse Oliver, an RCAP Solutions economic recovery specialist, detailed her research of the region during two workshops with local municipal leaders, businessmen and other interested parties. At the workshops' conclusion, five potential options were identified as topics for a final report due in August.

July 8, Oliver detailed the five topics to Boothbay selectmen for their consideration. After a brief discussion, selectmen chose option five: an informational resource guide for aspiring entrepreneurs interested in tourism. The information is geared toward creating more opportunities in the local tourism industry. 

The other four options were a range of vocational programs related to the "blue-green" economy and how local employers can tap into training programs, map multi-module trails so walking and bike trails could be linked with a digital map showing all the resources, defining what affordable housing means for servers, technicians and researchers,and an ordinance comparison of regional towns in an effort to unify them for local contractors' convenience.

RISE is a pilot program which has three other participants: Orange, Massachusetts; and Barton and Lunenburg, Vermont;. Oliver said the program is funded entirely by federal grants and there is no cost to municipalities.

RCAP wanted to enlist a coastal Maine community into the pilot program, and Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission recommended Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, said Oliver last year.

In other action, selectmen held a public hearing on, and later approved, a license renewal for a special amusement permit (Class C and D) for Sailor's Landing, 27 Old Wharf Road.

Planning Board Chairman Bruce Bowler reported the town attorney was available to help in making "surgical corrections" to the comprehensive plan. Bowler said the corrections would regard new state legislation allowing the creation of 5,000 square foot lots for development. 

Selectmen appointed the planning board as comprehensive planning committee members to oversee the attorney's work. Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 in the conference room.